Container cap



July l, 1941. E p. BRUS CONTAINER CAP Filed Dec. 22, 1939 I INVENTOR '777//6 A7 fw ATTORNEYS `Patented July l, leal zama? lerica arrasar @UNTAliNER CAP Emile P. Bras, Kansas City, Mo.

Application December 22,. 1939, Serial No. 310,515

tllailns.

, This invention relates to cap assemblies for container bodies and the primary object is to provide aeclosure that will automatically maintain the mouth of a container in a sealed condition so long as the said cap assembly is in the normal position.

One of the important aims of this invention is to provide a container cap that is particularly useful in` connection with collapsible tubes in the nature of those conventionally employed in containing tooth paste or similar substances,

it being the object to provide a cap that is permanently attached to the container in such a manner as to permit the user to quickly and conveniently flip the entire cap assembly to the normal position without manipulating screw threaded hoods or like elements, such as is now common practice.v

A further object of 'this invention is to provide a container cap comprising a valve member mounted by unique elements in a manner as to yieldably hold the same against the mouth of the container when the cap is in itsnormal position, yet which may be quickly removed from the mouth closing station by a lateral sidewise force in either one of two directions, said cap being replaceable to close the mouth by nipping the same to the normal position so as to permit the yieldable means forming a part or the assembly, to exert its force in retaining the valve member in place to function as a means for precluding the escape of the container' contents.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a cap assembly o. the aforementioned character wherein is constructed means for varying the tension or the yieldable element which holds the valve member against the mouth oi the container, and means for clamping the valve member against the Amouth. to preclude its displacement, said last mentionedmeans befing that which varies the tension of the yieldable element and serves to progressively increase its force upon the valve member as the means is adjusted toward the place where the valve member is secured against the mouth.

Other objects of Athis invention will appear during the course ot the following specidcation, referring to the accompanying 'drawing wherein two forms ofthe invention are illustrated, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation oi a container having a cap assembly thereon made in accordance with this invention.

lTig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the cap` assembly, taken on line H--H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a broken away elevational view of the cap assembly.

Fig. e is a cross sectional view taken on line lV-IV of Fis. 3; and

l neck it.

Fig. 5 is a broken away side elevational view illustrating the modified form of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention, container 8 is in the form of the conventional collapsible tube having a neck Id extending from one end thereof through which bore ,i2 is formed.

The material It within body t is forced out through bore i2 and since no internal pressure is established after the user releases his hold on the body, the cap assembly such as that illustrated herewith, can be adjusted to adequately close the mouth of neck i0.

The cap illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, comprises a yoke generally designated by the numeral iii and which has an annular head it externally screw-threaded as at Ztl and positioned above the end of neck it, so that the axis of the annular head is on the axis of bore i2.

A pair of diametrically opposed arms i22 integral with head it depend to each side of neck ill sothat the free ends thereof may be pivotally attached thereto by pintles 2t.

A valve member 2t having an arcuate or spherical surface 2t is carried by yoke It so that the said spherical surface may rest upon the mouth of This valve. member is a thimble-like unit having a continuous annular flange it' at the end thereof, which :Harige overlies the upper annular edge of yoke it so as to provide a stop to limit the movement of the valve member it ,the mouth of bore i2.

in one direction.

An internally screw-threaded hollow hood tit lis mounted on yoke it with its threads ,tti in is effective and simple. When it is desired touncover the mouth of the container, a lateral vpressure in either one of two directions upon the side of hood 32, will move the entire cap assembly to either one of the positions shown in dotted lines of Fig. 1. In so moving spring ad will be compressed as the highest point on the spherical wall 28 of valve member 2t passes over the annular edge of neck it, which forms With the cap sodisplaced, material it may be removed from body i and thereafter the cap flexed back to the nora mal position.

As the spherical surface 2t of valve member 2t engages the annular edge of neck it, spring it will be compressed and as soon as a portion ot the spherical face 2t moves into the mouth ot neck l0, the movement of the cap will be arrested and'the bore I2 closed.

If it is desired to establish a greater pressure upon valve member 26, hood 32 may be turned so that it moves closer to the annular ange 30 of the valve member. Obviously, the distance between the upper end of head I8 of yoke I6 and ange 30 of valve member 26, must not be great enough to allow the cylindrical side walls of the valve member to strike the edge of neck I0.

Pin 36 will preclude outward movement of hood 32 so that spring 38 will'always be under tension. If the container is to be packed or placed in a condition where it is desired to positively seal the open end thereof, all that is necessary to clamp valve member 26 against movement, is to tightenhood 32 so that its inner surface will engage the top of valve member 26. All parts of the cap assembly will thereby be rendered immovable and the container definitely sealed until hood 32 is again manipulated to permit valve member 26 to compress spring 38 and move outrof bore I2 and over the annular edge of neck l0.

- In the illustrated embodiment of the invention exemplified in Fig, 5, all of Ithe parts of the cap assembly, so far as body 8, neck l0, bore I2, yoke I6 and the parts thereof, are concerned, are the same.

Hood 50 is substantially the same as previously described, with the exception that it is provided with an opening 52 at the axis thereof for the passage of stem 56, one end of which is secured to the ball valve 56. This ball valve 4closes the end of bore I2 in precisely the same manner as hereinabove set down, and spring Eli yieldably maintains the ball in the seated position.

Pin 60 on hood 50 limits the outward movement oi?v the latter and collar B2 or stem 54 is engaged by the top of hood U when the latter is manipulatedto move toward yoke i6. When hood 50 engages collar l62 a clam-ping force will be exerted on ball valve 5B to secure it in place.

yWhen such relation is established between ball .and while but two forms have been revealed, it is obvious that container caps having physical characteristics other than those shown and described, might be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus -described the invention, what is 'claimed as Vnew xand desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a container having a body provided with a mouth, 'a cap comprising a valve member; a

lf-.yoke swingably mounted on the container bo'dy for moving the valve member to and from a position closing the mouth of the container; yieldable means for maintaining the valve member against the mouth of the container when in said position; and a hood movable into direct engagement with the valve member to clamp' the same against the container body for closing said mouth, said hood being mounted on the the hood yoke and adapted to vary the force exerted on the valve member by the yieldable means.

2. In a container having a body provided with a mouth, a. cap comprising a valve member; a yoke swingably mounted on the container body for moving the valve member to and from a l position closing the mouth -of the container;

yieldable means for maintaining the valve member against the mouth of the container when in said position; and a hood movable into direct engagement with the valve member` to clamp the same against the container body for closing said mouth, said hood being mounted on the yoke and in engagement with the yieldable means to progressively increase the force of the said means upon the valve member as the part approaches the position to clamp the member against the mouth of the body.

3. In a container having a body provided with a mouth, 4a cap assembly comprising a valve member; a yoke swingably mounted on the container body for carrying the valve member to and from a position closing the mouth of the container; 'a hood adjustably mounted on the yoke for movement toward and from a position in direct engagement with Vthe valve member to. force the same against the mouth of the body;

and a spring between the valve member and said hood for exerting pressure on the former in all operative positions of the hood other than the clamping position.

4. In a container having a body provided with a mouth, a cap assembly comprising a valve member; a yoke swin-gably mounted on the container body for carrying the valve member to and from a position closing the mouth of the container; a hood adjustably mounted on the yoke for movement toward and from a, position in direct engagement with the valve member to force the same against the mouth ofthe body; and a spring between the valve member and sai-d hood for exerting pressure on the former in all operative positions of the hood other than the clamping position, said hood having a stop for limiting the movement thereof from the clamping position, sai-d stop being arranged to arrest 'the movement of the hood from the clamping position before the spring ceases to exert .pressure upon the valve member.

5. A cap assembly for a collapsible tube comprising a yoke, provided with an externally threaded annular body adapted to be swingably attached to the tube for movement across the mouth of the tube; a hollow valve member loosely mounted on the yoke in the annular head thereof; a spring inthe hollow valve member having one end projecting therefrom and against the hood; an internally threaded hood embracing the annular head of the yoke and movable toward and from .the valve member as the hood is rota-ted; and a stop on the hood to limit movement thereof from the valve member, said spring ber to clamp the santeagainst the mouth'of the tubefand to lock the yoke 'against swinging movement.

' EMILE P. BRUS. 

